Canarsie Park Restoration To Begin Soon

By Dara Mormile

City Councilman Lew Fidler speaking at recent 69th Precinct Community Council meeting. Dara MormileFour years after plans for renovations were announced, Canarsiens will finally begin to see changes in Canarsie Park this spring.

“At long last we have a ground-breaking date for the construction of the park,” said City Councilman Lew Fidler at the recent 69th Precinct Community Council meeting.

“Towards the end of March or early April we’re going to see the $4.2 million allocated to restoring the front of the park finally being spent. The contract has been awarded and accepted and is registered with the City Comptrollers office – so things are going to start happening.”

Renovations and additions include landscaping, trees, paths, picnic tables, lighting, cricket fields, a water fountain and a music pavilion. According to Fidler, dirt and landfill have been delivered over the past six weeks.

Fidler said, “We’re going to see Canarsie Park get the kind of treatment that any first class park in the city deserves. It’s also going to be a park that other neighborhoods will be jealous of.”

In other news, John Salugob, the council president, announced anyone in the community could become a member by submitting their names and attending six meetings.

Salugob also announced that the Office of Emergency Management would offer another group of Community Emergency Response courses. Fire Department Captain Bill Croak from the Canarsie Fire Station will be at the next meeting to invite those interested. Participants in the city program will attend an 11-week course in emergency response and learn basic skills needed to assist during a disaster. The council meeting took place at the Hebrew Educational Society, 9502 Seaview Avenue, last Tuesday evening.